How to Remove a Nipple Piercing

Nipple piercings go straight through the spot where the nipple and the areola meet. They can be vertical or horizontal, but the same jewelry is usually worn in both. The most common jewelry for a nipple piercing is a barbell, a straight stainless steel bar with beads that unscrew on either end. Another option is a captive bead ring, a C-shaped ring with a single bead held in place between the prongs. Captive bead rings under a 12 gauge are usually removable at home, while rings 10 gauge and larger will need to be removed by a piercer with pliers.

Things You'll Need

Antibacterial soap

Paper towel

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Wash your hands and your piercing with warm water and antibacterial soap. Dry them thoroughly with a clean paper towel.

Unscrew a barbell by holding the bead on one end while you turn the bead on the other end counterclockwise, or to the left. Continue turning until the bead comes off.

Pull the barbell straight out of your nipple. You will pull horizontally or vertically, depending on the direction of your piercing.

Remove a captive bead ring by holding onto one prong. You may find this easier if you twist the ring sideways so the bead sits to the right or left of your nipple.

Push the bead out of the ring sideways. Do not attempt to pull the ring apart vertically, as this can crimp the middle and make it impossible to reinsert the bead.